Whether you are at home or out on a trail, you need clean water to keep your body healthy and hydrated. Though you need a lot of water when you are up for a physical excursion like hiking, carrying, a lot of it isn’t a viable option as it is quite a weight to bear on your shoulders. That is why getting the best backpacking water filter is common among hikers as it provides an unlimited amount of clean and safe water without adding much weight to your back.
But choosing the best backpacking water filter can be difficult though as there are many different types of it, with different sizes, filters, containers, chemicals and capacities.
That’s why we have taken the initiative and gone through several backpacking water filter reviews to list down the 10 Best Backpacking Water Filters In 2020 along with a guide that helps in filtering the right option. Once you have finished reading this guide, you’ll know exactly what type of filter you need.
OUR TOP PICK
Sawyer Products Squeeze Backpacking Water Filter
Featuring a lightweight and compact design that uses a 0.1-micron squeeze filter, Sawyer Products Squeeze Backpacking Water Filtration System is the best backpacking water filter on our list for hikers who like a quick assembling system that removes harmful bacteria, protozoa, cysts, sediment, and 100% of microplastics from water. Whether you are on a casual hike in the backcountry or on a weeklong hike, this portable water filter ensures that you always have clean and healthy water to drink.
Design
Featuring a Hollow-fiber membrane filter for purification, this water filter for backpacking comes with 2 collapsible pouches that are made of durable Mylar foil and have a capacity of 2 32 fl. oz. Further, the system includes a cleaning coupling and additional accessories. These accessories include inline adapters for squeezing, a gravity tubing that allows you to hook up the Squeeze Filter as a gravity filter, and a syringe to back-flush the filter. Further, the water purifier for camping has a built-in push/pull cap that directs the water in the right direction.
Performance
With no pills, no pumps, and no wait time, this water filtering system provides best in class protection each time you use it. The filter removes 99.99% of bacteria, such as salmonella, cholera, and E. coli; and removes 99.99% of all protozoa, such as giardia and Cryptosporidium. Further, it removes 100% of microplastic as well as sediments and cysts and is rated to filter 100,000 gallons of water. While it comes with collapsible pouches that can be reused hundreds of times, it also fits the threads on most bottles of water that you buy at a grocery store. All in all, this system makes filtering water as simple as filling and squeezing water into your mouth.
What Makes This Water Purification System Stand Out
Small and portable size
Included reusable pouches for storing water
Massive filtration capacity
Fits regular water bottles
Easy to use push/pull cap
Model & Accessory Specs
Best For: Professional Hikers
Filter Type: Squeeze, Gravity
Filter Medium: Hollow-fiber membrane
Material: ABS plastic
Dimensions: 5 x 2 inches
Weight: 3 ounces
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Sawyer Products Mini Backpacking Water Filter
Weighing only 2 oz. and sized to fit in the palm of your hand, Sawyer Products Mini Backpacking Water Filter is the editor’s choice on our list for its lightweight and compact design that can be used again and again for providing the highest quality of filtration regardless of the water source. Individually tested three times during the manufacturing process, this system is best for those who are looking for a certified water filtration system that is suitable for hiking.
Design
Coming as a 5-inch tube that is made of BPA free ABS plastic, the center of the tube features a hollow-fiber membrane filtration medium that has no pore size larger than 0.1 microns in size. Further, the backpacker water filtration is supported by one 16 fl. oz. reusable squeeze pouch, a filter tip cap, and a cleaning syringe. While the filter is designed to fit the threads on the included pouch, it also fits perfectly with threads on standard disposable bottles with 28mm threading. Besides, it has a straw which means that you would be able to drink it directly from the water source.
Performance
With this system of water purification, backpacking is always a delightful experience as it comes in an ultra-small size that takes the least possible space in your bag. While the water source can be a stream or a river, its highly effective filtration removes almost all bacteria including the common nasty ones such as salmonella and E. coli. and protozoa, Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Moreover, as this filtration system attaches to the drinking pouch, standard water bottles, or hydration packs, you can choose the most convenient way to take in your water. With a capacity of purifying 100,000 gallons of water, you can be sure that you are getting a long-lasting companion for hikes.
What Makes This Water Purification System Stand Out
Ultra-light
High capacity reusable pouches for storing water
Removes Bacteria and Protozoa physically
Fits standard water bottles
Includes a cleaning syringe
Model & Accessory Specs
Best For: Lightweight
Filter Type: Straw, Squeeze
Filter Medium: Hollow-fiber membrane
Material: ABS plastic
Dimensions: 5 x 1 inches
Weight: 2 ounces
BEST VALUE
LifeStraw Water Filter
Coming as a small and ultralight filtering tube that needs no rocket science to use, LifeStraw Water Filter is the most budget-friendly portable water filter on our list that lets hikers safely sip water directly from a stream or lake without any pumping or squeezing. As this water filtering system does not require any battery and has no moving parts, you can use it perfectly even if you are a beginner in hiking.
Design
Shaped like a tube, LifeStraw water filtration system is made of ABS plastic that is BPA free and features a hollow-fiber membrane that has 0.2-micron pores. Thanks to its 9 inches of length and straw-like filter type, it allows hikers to consume water directly in case a water bottle is not available. The tube is also designed to self-clean itself and prevents clogging through regular blowing. Moreover, it comes in a sealed bag for storage and includes a removable lanyard that lets secure this filtration system when it is out for use.
Performance
Weighing only 2 oz., the easy-to-use water filter is one of the lightest filters with a hollow-fiber filtration mechanism. It doesn't have storage functionality, but water treatment is instantaneous. With a high flow rate, its filtration mechanism physically removes harmful waterborne bacteria and protozoan parasites, when water is on the way to your mouth from the source. With an impressive purification capacity of 1,000 gallons of contaminated water without using iodine, chlorine, or other chemicals, this backpacker water filter is best suited for one person on-the-go.
What Makes This Water Purification System Stand Out
Lightweight tube-like design
Instantaneous water treatment
Easy to clean
High water flow rate
Includes a removable lanyard
Model & Accessory Specs
Best For: First-time Hikers
Filter Type: Straw
Filter Medium: Hollow-fiber membrane
Material: ABS Plastic
Dimensions: 1.2 x 8.8 inches
Weight: 2 ounces
LifeStraw Go Bottle Water Filter
Offering top quality filtration against bacteria, protozoa, chemicals, and microplastics, LifeStraw Go Bottle Water Filter positions itself on our list for its unique 2 staged high-tech filtration system that turns muddy water into clean water in no time. As the system uses one more filtering mechanism along with a dedicated hollow membrane, it is an ideal pick for hikers who want an added assurance of purification on the go.
Design
The outer case of this water filter is made of BPA-free Tritan® plastic that is lightweight and durable. The bottle includes a microfiltration membrane with pores of 0.2 micron that runs along the length of the bottle and features an activated carbon filter on the top. To secure the membrane and bottle carbon filter inside, the bottle is sealed with a leakproof lid has that has a flexible and detachable mouthpiece. Plus, it includes a carabiner so that you are not worried about holding it in your hand throughout the hike.
Performance
Due to its removable membrane and active carbon constituent, there is no chance of getting unhealthy or smelly water as an output. LifeStraw’s hollow membrane does not allow bacteria and protozoa to pass through, while the presence of active carbon absorbs contamination and reduces organic chemical matter such as pesticides and herbicides. This helps in removing cloudiness to improve the taste. While the carbon filter can purify 100 liters, the membrane has a capacity of filtering 4000, so you can replace either of them and ensure clean and odorless water on the go.
What Makes This Water Purification System Stand Out
• 2 staged filtration system
• Replaceable membrane and active carbon filter
• Detachable mouthpiece for easy cleaning
• Lightweight and durable construction
• Includes a carabiner for easy carriage
Model & Accessory Specs:
Best For: Enhanced Filtration
Filter Type: Bottle
Filter Medium: Hollow-fiber Membrane with Activated Carbon
Housing Material: Tritan plastic
Size: 3.1 x 3.1 x 9.25 inches
Weight: 7.8 ounces
Survivor Filter PRO Water Filter
Tested and certified with independent labs for removing a wide range of bacteria, protozoa, and other harmful particles from water, Survivor Filter PRO is another top rated backpacking water purifier on our list that is suitable for a small group of hikers as it connects directly to any freshwater source and keeps supplying purified water with easy pump moves. Filtering water at 3 different stages, this water filter for hiking comes with a high flow rate, as well.
Design
Survivor Filter PRO comes as a setup of an input tube with a floater, an output tube, and the main shell that is integrated with handle and filters. The shell is made of ABS material, which includes polysulfone medical grade filter, food-grade activated carbon, and features a handle contains steel bar inside for extra support. Further, the system uses two separate filters with a membrane and a carbon filter and comes with tubes, a detachable drinking cup, a travel bag, and how to use manual.
Performance
With 3 stage filtrations and a flow rate of 0.5 liters per minute, this filtration system delivers top-class performance. Both the membranes have 0.01 microns that is the highest level available for a portable water filter and are tested to remove virus, bacteria, parasites while reducing most heavy metals. Further, the additional carbon filter gets the bad taste out of water. Last but not the least, with a massive filtering life of 100,000 liters, you can be sure that this water filter hiker will be a long-lasting companion to you and your hiking group.
What Makes This Water Purification System Stand Out
3 staged filtration system
Filtering membrane with smallest possible pores
High flow rate
Durable pumping handle
Includes detachable drinking cup
Model & Accessory Specs
Best For: Group/Family
Filter Type: Bottle
Filter Medium: two Hollow-fiber Membranes and Activated Carbon Filter
Housing Material: ABS Plastic
Size: 3.15 x 1.97 x 6.5 inches
Weight: 8.16 ounces
Sawyer Products Squeezable Pouch Water Filter
Compatible with Sawyer Squeeze Filter, Micro Squeeze, Dual Threaded MINI, and MINI to filter the drinking water, Sawyer Products Squeezable Pouch gets itself on our list for its light compact and versatile design that allows it to store water from any source. Coming in a range of sizes, these pouches from Sawyer let you add more water carrying capacity, thus making sure that you are not short of water storage when you are hiking.
Design
Designed to collapse or fold, these pouches are made from durable Mylar Foil and can be reused hundreds of times. Available in 16, 32, and 64-ounce capacities, each pouch comes with a plastic made mouth that has 28 mm threads and fits perfectly to other Sawyer Products filters to provide safe drinking water. Further, the mouths have an antileak plastic screw cap so that the water inside the pouch can be stored with safety.
Performance
Easy to fill and attach with Sawyer Products filtration system, these ultra-lightweight pouches can be collapsed and rolled up for easy portability. While each pouch comes with a cap, you can easily replace it in case it gets lost. Offering one of the best ways to store fresh water or carry dirty water for filtration, this pouch is great for hiking, backpacking, ultralight backcountry treks, camping, and emergency preparedness. Overall, these pouches are extremely handy when water is scarce as you can simply fill extra pouches before leaving a water source and then filter the water whenever you need it.
What Makes This Water Purification System Stand Out
Safe and durable construction
Multiple capacity variants to choose from
Folds to a compact shape for easy storage
Antileak screw-based capping
Fits more than one filtration system
Model & Accessory Specs
Best For: Storage
Filter Type: None
Filter Medium: None
Material: Mylar Foil
Capacity: 16, 32, 64 ounces
Weight: 0.95 ounce
Grayl Ultralight Compact Purifier Bottle Water Filter
Fast and easy-to-use, Grayl Ultralight Compact Purifier bottle gets featured on our list for its powerful one-press mechanism that provides safe and clean drinking water from nearly any freshwater source in 15 seconds to keep your body hydrated. As this filtration bottle comes with activated carbon, it not only removes bacteria, viruses, protozoa but also eliminates bad odors, improves clarity and flavor.
Design
Crafted with a high-grade Polypropylene, Grayl portable water filter comes in a water bottle shape so lets you drink straight out of it and allows it to be stored in the side mesh pockets that you find on all backpacks. For purification, each bottle uses electro adsorption and an activated carbon filtering mechanism that is based on a replaceable purifier cartridge. With such a design, all you need to do is to fill the bottle with dirty water and press it to purify almost 2 liters of water per minute.
Performance
Tested to NSF Standards, this water purification system removes 99.99% of viruses, disease-causing bacteria, and protozoan cysts. Further, its ultra-powdered activated carbon effectively filters particulates, chemicals, heavy metals and eliminates bad flavors and odors. Each cartridge is rated for almost 300 uses but can be replaced to use the bottle again and again that lets you save money and promote sustainability. Engineered to stand up to the harsh demands, Grayl is perfect for emergency preparedness and camping but excels when backpacking.
What Makes This Water Purification System Stand Out
Powerful one-press mechanism
Bottle shape design for easy carriage or storage
Delivers high volume in less time
Tested to NSF Standards
Durable construct
Model & Accessory Specs
Best For: Quick Purification
Filter Type: Press, Bottle
Filter Medium: Electro Adsorption and Activated Carbon
Material: Polypropylene
Dimensions: 2.7 x 9.5 inches
Weight: 10.9 ounces
LifeStraw Family 1.0 Portable Gravity Powered Backpacking Water Filter
Coming as a setup that uses gravity for purifying water, LifeStraw Family 1.0 Portable Gravity Powered Backpacking Water Filter is bigger than most other types of solutions on this list but can purify a large amount of water in a short time. Weighing in at under 2 lbs. and designed for easy packing, this water system is a perfect companion for those who like to camp out with friends or family.
Design
This water filtration system is constructed with impact-resistant plastic and has different parts that fit together well. It comes with a 2 liters feed water bucket that is connected to the output tube with a PVC hose. The output tube blue tap that releases clean water and red tape that disposes of the contaminated water. Inside the tube is the ultrafiltration hollow fiber membrane cartridge that has been tested and proven to remove things down to 0.02 microns from water and expel viruses, protozoans, and bacteria.
Performance
With a portable and easy-to-carry build, the purifiers come with an easy to use and clean filter and cartridge that uses gravity to purify the water at an impressive rate of 9-12 liters in an hour. All you need to do is to add water into the funnel-like compartment and place a container at its clan water outlet. Moreover, the system can purify up to 4750 gallons of water without any replacement in parts. No doubt, with this system for water filtration, backpacking and camping are never short of healthy water.
What Makes This Water Purification System Stand Out
Needs no power, battery, or pumping effort
High water filtration output
Designed for easy packaging
Easy to maintain, use, and clean
WHO and EPA approved filtration mechanism
Model & Accessory Specs
Best For: Hiking
Filter Type: Gravity
Filter Medium: Hollow-fiber Membrane
Housing Material: ABS Plastic
Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 4.5 inches
Weight: 1.6 lbs.
Etekcity Water Filter Straw Camping Water Filter
Tested by German TüV SüD Examination Institute and meet EPA Water Quality Standards, Etekcity Water Filter Straw is another straw-type portable water filter that comes with two-stage primary filtration with additional active carbon to ensure maximum quality and safety. Light on weight and easy to carry, this awesome water filter can deal with some seriously gross water and turns it into a nice portion of clean and healthy water.
Design
The tube shell of Etekcity is made of durable ABS plastic and features a pre-filter, an antibacterial activated carbon filter, and 0.01 Microns hollow fiber UF membrane inline filter to offer 3 staged purification. Further, it comes with a foldable water pouch with D type hook that can store 16oz in one go, an extension tube, a syringe for clearing the filter, and an inlet mouthpiece with 1 PP cotton pad for added filtration. No wonder with such a design and inclusions, this water filter is perfect for those who love an outdoor lifestyle.
Performance
With a pre-filter to defend large contaminants and an Ion-exchange resin to remove chlorine, heavy metal ions, Etekcity can impress anyone with its super-efficient filtering capability. Thanks to its best in class 0. 01Μm hollow fiber inline membrane, it filters 99. 99% of waterborne rubbish while its activated carbon ensures that output water is tasteless and odorless. Further, each of these water filtering tubes can provide up to 1500 liters of safe drinking water and yield water at the rate of 400 ml in a min. Moreover, you can align the water purifier to most hydration reservoirs for increased water carrying capacity and convenience.
What Makes This Water Purification System Stand Out
Highly efficient filtration mechanism
Lightweight and easy to shape design
Tested and certified for delivering safe water
Easy usage
Compatible with additional water storage
Model & Accessory Specs
Best For: Beginners
Filter Type: Straw
Filter Medium: Pre-filter, Activated Carbon Filter, Hollow Fiber UF Membrane
Housing Material: ABS plastic, Polyurethane
Dimensions: 7.09 x 5.12 x 1.89 inches
Weight: 2.12 Ounces
MSR MiniWorks EX Hiking Water Filter
With EX technology, which has been proven reliable by thousands of adventurers around the world, MSR MiniWorks EX Hiking Water Filter grabs the last spot on our list for its replaceable carbon and ceramic filter that removes bacteria, protozoa, organic compounds, and particulate, to delivering clean, taste and odor-free water. Easy to use and easy to clean, this water filtering system is one of the most popular choices of hikers.
Design
With a shell that is made of high-quality Polyurethane, this hand-pump water filter has one of the most durable and reliable constructions on the list. Its design includes an ergonomic handle on the top that screws to fit with wide mouth water bottles and hydration bags such as MSR Dromedary® Bag or Nalgene® water bottle. For purification, the system is loaded with a ceramic filter with a carbon core. Additionally, the system features an AirSpring Accumulator which increases filtration speed up to 1 liter per min to give you quick and enough hydration.
Performance:
In regards to performance, MiniWorks offers a reliable and continuous supply of clean and healthy water for years and years. Thanks to its ceramic/carbon marathon EX element that not only removes bacteria and protozoa including giardia and cryptosporidia but also makes water free from unpleasant tastes and odors caused by organic compounds. Further, the filter can be wiped over and over for maximum field life and needs no special tool other than a piece of cloth. Easy to set or disassemble, you can troubleshoot this water filtering system and maintain its filter almost anywhere.
What Makes This Water Purification System Stand Out
Durable construction
ergonomic handle for easy pumping
Super long filtration life
Easy to maintain, use, and clean
Comes in a mesh carrying bag
Model & Accessory Specs
Best For: Single Hikers
Filter Type: Pump
Filter Medium: Ceramic with Carbon Core
Housing Material: Polyurethane
Dimensions: 7.8 x 3.8 inches
Weight: 14.6 ounces
How to Choose A Backpacking Water Filter – Buying Guide
Size
The size of your water filter matters, as you need to carry it in your backpack and ensure that it fits properly in the limited space. With space, you also need to consider your plan as to whether you will camp for a longer duration or with a group. That is why you need to keep an eye on the dimensions of the water filtering system and try to make a choice that is compact but serves the purpose.
Weight
If you are going for an ultralight backpacking, then weight becomes more of an issue as you want to keep everything to a minimum. Thus, go through the type and weight of each filter and consider its match with your plan to sort the best backpacking water filter for yourself.
Type
There are many different types of portable water filter and purifier you can choose from:
· Straw: These water filters work exactly like a drinking draw and let you suck water directly from a source.
· Pump Filters: Pump filters let you pull the exact amount of water that you need so you won’t have to worry about getting too much or too little.
· Gravity: Gravity works by simply letting the water drip down a filter which means very little effort is involved.
· UV Light: UV light works by shining the destructive light waves to kill the bacteria.
· Bottle Filters: Bottle filters are another good solution where you simply fill the bottle full of water, and a filter in the cap makes it drinkable.
· Squeeze Filters: These filters work by attaching themselves onto a bottle or a pouch and work as you squeeze the water through the filter.
· Chemicals: These are simply added to the water and then you wait for them to take effect. That makes them very easy to use and they are probably the lightest option and can easily be stored anywhere.
Replacement Parts
In most of the water purification systems, the included filter or power source comes with a certain life and needs maintenance from time to time. While some of these filters allow just cleaning, others need to be replaced with new supplements, thus adding some more cost to your pocket. To avoid any cost that is not helping your outdoor activity, pay special attention to replaceable parts of a water filtering system, and choose the one which needs no or minimum replacements.
Filter Pore Size
The filter pore size refers to the size of the holes that the water will have to pass through to get to the drinking side and is related to mechanical filters only. This is naturally an important consideration as it affects what can pass through the device and how much it will be able to block off the bits that you don’t want to come through. This is measured in microns and you want this figure to be as small as possible.
Pre Filter
Unlike mechanical filters, a UV or chemical purifier leaves you to deal with the level of dirt and inclusions in the water at a manual level and that is where a Pre-filter plays a key role. A pre-filter clears out heavy contaminants and debris. If you are looking for a non-mechanical water filtering system, then make sure that you are picking an option with a pre-filter.
Bacteria, Protozoa and Virus Removal
The most important job for a water purification system is to remove bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and other contaminations that can cause sickness. While bacteria protozoa and viruses can be removed with a purification membrane, viruses are harder to get rid of and most mechanical pumps won’t be able to get rid of this. To ensure protection against all three, you can go with a UV light water filtration or a high-tech filter that can effectively kill all three.
Container
It’s also important to consider what type of container you will be taking on your trip. Some of these solutions work as their own container whereas other solutions will you require to filter the water into your own container. A preferred way to sort the container is to consider an option that comes with an included one.
Backup
In case your initial system fails and you still need to make your water safe, it is always good to keep a mechanical filter and a UV or chemical-based water purifier so that you are always covered.
FAQs
Q: What Is A Water Purifier?
A: A water purifier is something that will make the water pure (or close to) but does so without a filter. It will aim to kill the harmful elements which can be found in water but won’t be able to take out any sediment or debris which can be found in it.
Q: What Is A Water Filter?
A: A water filter doesn’t treat the water, instead it aims to take everything out of it which might be harmful. This sometimes doesn’t have the same level of protection as a water purifier, but it will be able to take out the silk and sediment.
Q: What Is More Convenient to Choose A Water Purifier or Water Filter?
A: The answer to this question depends on your own specific needs. Water purifiers camping tend to be a lot smaller than hiking water filters which make them easy to carry around but they also don’t remove any sediment which could be a major inconvenience to many.
Camping water filters on the other hand can produce clear water straight away as anything else is going to be filtered out. They do however need their filters replacing and are generally a lot bulkier.
Globo Surf Overview
There are many different types of camping water purifiers out there and each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. How you will be backpacking, for how long, and the location, all play a part in what would be the best solution for you. There are other important aspects to consider too such as the weight, replacement parts, and the container that you will have to carry as we have mentioned in our guide.
That is why you need to analyze your situation and think about which features are the most important and how much water you need. Once you are through all these the mentioned factors, we hope that you would be able to pick the best backpacking water purifier or filter for you.